Sadistic

Sadistic describes a tendency to derive pleasure from the pain, suffering, or humiliation of others. The term is derived from the name of the 18th-century writer Marquis de Sade, whose works linked cruelty and sexual arousal; the adjective entered modern usage through the words sadism and sadistic.

In clinical psychology, Sexually Sadistic Disorder is a paraphilic disorder in DSM-5-TR when arousal from suffering is recurrent and intense, evidenced by fantasies, urges, or behaviors, and either acted on with a nonconsenting person or causes distress or impairment. Non-sexual sadism can refer to cruelty as a personality trait or behavior that occurs in various disorders or in aggression. The DSM-5 does not recognize a standalone “sadistic personality disorder”; cruelty may be associated with other disorders such as antisocial personality disorder.

Distinctions and contexts are important. Consensual adult BDSM practices may involve pain or domination but are based on explicit consent and safety protocols and are not considered pathological when they do not cause harm. Non-consensual cruelty, by contrast, is illegal and harmful and may be a symptom of underlying mental health or behavioral problems requiring intervention.

Prevalence data are limited; sexual sadism is considered rare in the general population and is more often discussed in clinical or forensic contexts, particularly when nonconsent or harm is involved. Ethical and legal concerns accompany acts of nonconsenting cruelty.

In culture, sadism is a common motif in literature and film, often depicted through villains or horror, while in psychology it is studied as a potential personality trait or clinical concern.